John and Rhoda celebrate 60 years of wedded bliss

A couple from West Lothian were treated to a surprise party with family and friends to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.

John and Rhoda Campbell, who live in Westfield, marked 60 years of marriage earlier this month with a party at St Anthony's in Armadale.

They married at a registry office in Edinburgh on 9 June 1950 after meeting as teenagers in Avonbridge, where they both grew up.

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The couple went on to have five children – Ian, Elizabeth, Malcolm, James and Billy – and also now have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mr Campbell, 79, worked as a long-distance lorry driver with Russell's of Bathgate for 20 years before going on to work in the scrap car business, from which he retired at the age of 60.

Mrs Campbell, 78, was a housewife until 1978 when she became caretaker/cleaner at Westfield Primary School.

She retired 14 years later at the age of 60 and her daughter Elizabeth Rarity, 56, took over the role – a position she still holds to this day.

Mr and Mrs Campbell have lived in the same house on Strathavon Terrace for more than five decades.

Mrs Rarity said: "They enjoyed doing the gardening but they're not greatly able to do it now. My mum loves to sit in the garden.

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"They like watching all the soaps too like Coronation Street and Emmerdale."

Mr and Mrs Campbell also enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

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Mrs Rarity added: "My dad's sister Margaret came over from Australia for the party, she was their bridesmaid at the wedding.

"They were delighted to see everybody, I think it's nice to have your family in the one room. It was a surprise party that we had organised for them. If they had guessed they didn't really let on."

Mrs Campbell said the secret of a long and happy marriage was "learning to put up with each other".

Mrs Rarity said: "They rub along not too bad together!"

The couple were presented with flowers at their home by West Lothian Provost Tom Kerr on their anniversary.

He said: "This is a wonderful milestone for John and Rhoda to reach.

"It was a special day for them and their family and friends, and I was delighted that I was given the opportunity to visit them in their home to congratulate them in person."

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